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By the folks, I haven't seen any episodes since number 1, based on my wait and see approach, but have they done anything interesting with Aono yet. Like had her speak or given her backstory as to why she's so...dry and boring.

In ep 3 we find out she's in the hospital because she's

Spoiler:

weak. Whatever that means. Apparently the same illness as Misaka Shiori. (Or have you not watched that part of Kanon either?) How do you say "the-writer-cant-think-of-a-convincing-name" in Latin?

And ep 4 was all about Aono & Koyori character development.

Spoiler:

She smiles, talks a lot (well, more than she did before). Says she's lonely. And apologises once for being obstinate.

Oh, and about the dolls...

Spoiler:

She really does like them, it's just that they're extremely ugly. Tossing them in the box is part of the game.

This series may be easier to watch all at once, so you don't have to suffer waiting an entire week after a "slow" episode like the last two have been. Me, I must like suffering.

weak. Whatever that means. Apparently the same illness as Misaka Shiori. (Or have you not watched that part of Kanon either?) How do you say "the-writer-cant-think-of-a-convincing-name" in Latin?

No I know exactly what you mean (For Your Eyes Only):

Spoiler:

It's actually an oft used character trait to invoke sympathy. Basically some people are born with a weak body prone to disease and need to spend most of their lives in a sterile environment, such as a hospital. She's probably spent much of her life there and that might explain why she's so anti-social. You can't learn social skills when you are locked in a hospital. I think Key writers hate their characters more than Yoshiyuki Tomino at this point. Although he would often torture his characters with fevers and such too. I seriously don't know why Key doesn't just hire him up.

Anyway Aono is toast, no doubt about it, you can see it coming as early as episode 1. Wonder if they can spare lil' sis and Dead Bunny Goth-Loli chan though. Nothing I saw in episode 1 points to lil' sis having a potential tragic death, but who knows with Dead Bunny Goth-Loli chan. Her hanging around Simon Belmont is not a good strategy to ensure survival in a series written by a Key author.

From what I read, Hisaya's scenarios are typically quite saccharine (or at least that's one of the complaints raised by fans who prefer Jun Maeda or Yuuichi Suzumoto's tearjerkers), although it's impossible to say how sola will turn out.

Bear in mind that Hisaya worked at Key for only a year (1998-1999), so we can't associate him with anything they released after Kanon.

I had to give 9/10 to this episode, I loved the Koyori and Aono interaction in this episode (oohhh, the smile ). While I'm not a big fan of Ai Shimizu's "little sister" voice, but it does fit for Koyori.

Anyway Aono is toast, no doubt about it, you can see it coming as early as episode 1. Wonder if they can spare lil' sis and Dead Bunny Goth-Loli chan though. Nothing I saw in episode 1 points to lil' sis having a potential tragic death, but who knows with Dead Bunny Goth-Loli chan. Her hanging around Simon Belmont is not a good strategy to ensure survival in a series written by a Key author.

Well, to answer that...

Spoiler:

Little sis is getting out of the hospital. We have no idea what her illness is about, so unless we get some more proof on the matter, i am willing to say it was just a temporary case.

As for Aono - it seems like she might get a discharge soon. We also find out that she has collapsed before when she was home. To which she says that it is fine as long as she doesn't die.

I don't expect her life to be in danger. Unless the whole Matsuri/Demon hunter ordeal worsens it somehow.

The following is based on [Doremi]'s fansub. A bit delayed in my write-up because I had been pressed for time in the past few days (not to mention I am splitting my focused attention between four series ).

Random Thoughts on Ep04:
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The first thing that surprised me was that Koyori was a patient too. Up until now, I had been under the impression that Koyori was just a regular visitor; but now that I think about it, it was unrealistic to have Koyori visiting Aono on her own without Mana accompanying her to the hospital.

Koyori's frequent visits to Aono's room now makes much more sense. I can only blame myself for not being observant enough in the first three episodes.
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Speaking of which, the bond between Koyori and Aono is something I am encouraged by, in terms of storytelling. Very too often, the issues faced by the side-girls are all solved by the main protagonist. It works, but it tends to place too much importance on one character.

It is rare for a bishoujo-based anime to have the side-characters solve their issues amongst themselves. One of the reasons why Canvas 2 ranks high in my opinion, because the world does not revolve around one character, or one pairing even.
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Matsuri has weird taste in dolls too... but I suppose that is part of her charm. Setting us up for how compatible Matsuri and Yorito are, before they push us off the cliff.
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Some of the dolls in the Doll Shop look as though they are being hung by the neck... Is this where Mayuko got her bunny-doll?
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Kudos to the team for showing that Yorito knows his sister better than Mana in some aspects (I won't say all). If I had to think of a phrase, it would be, "It is the thought that counts."
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Some of the conversations between Aono and Yorito, and the relationship between Aono and Koyori is particularly haunting to me, because it accurately reflects how people behave in the hospital.

Aono being stubborn about wanting to go home, and Yorito gently telling her that she needed to stay there until she gets better. Man... the number of times I had to have this conversation without losing my composure. Some of you may go, "Oh, it's no big deal." and you'll be right at first; but when the frequency becomes at least 3 times a day, seven days a week, and over months, the strain of keeping a smile while telling them to stay in the hospital is going to crack you a little (especially when your ward starts to gossip with the other patients about how evil-hearted you are for confining her in the hospital ).

Koyori's reluctance to tell Aono about discharging soon is also reflective of "Survivor's Guilt". On one hand, you are glad that you are going to leave the hospital, but you feel guilty that you get to leave before the others, and you feel even guiltier for feeling relief that you are leaving before the others. It's a pretty vicious cycle of self-loathing.

So kudos to the producers for these.
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Expanding on the first point, the relationship between Koyori and Aono also explains further why Mana is taking such good care of Yorito. Their common bond is that their sisters have been hospitalised, and while Koyori and Aono takes care of each other, Mana helps to take care of Yorito. Quite a complicated web to explain, but easy to understand once you get it.

It also diffuses the need for Mana to develop a romantic interest in Yorito, something which Mana's co-worker seems to point out during the restaurant scene. Mana is simply a very good friend of Yorito, and there is basis for why this is so.
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It still amuses me whenever Mayuko bosses Takeshi around. Takeshi's comment made me wonder though... why the need to hurry now? Back in Ep02, he said that there was no need to worry, and yet he is worrying now? Did a deadline appear or something?
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Aono has problems with vending machines too, but instead of kicking them, she sits down and pout, which is quite a cute image.
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The dynamic between Koyori and Aono is beautiful. At first glance, it would appear that Koyori is solely the carer, but upon further examination, it will be apparent to all that the relationship is two-way and not one-way. As much as Koyori tries to get Aono to open up more, Aono is also there to comfort Koyori in her times of need; because as mature as Koyori tries to act, she is still a child at heart.
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All the main cast have voiced the "previews". Does this mean we will get real previews now?

I am giving this episode 09/10, because of the characterisations. I was tempted to give it a perfect 10, but I think I will hold back a bit first. None of the scenes were pointless. This is something that is very good. They all had meaning, and helped to contribute to the overall storyline.

My thoughts for this episode are that it raises the topic on how a true friendship survives the test of change.

Thinking it over the coffee was used as the best example to describe Koyoris' fears.

Spoiler:

When she was admitted into the hospital for the first time Koyori never wanted to stay asleep in the bed since she was afraid of the place due that was not accustomed to it.

Her feelings runs in parallel with the glass of coffee that Aono was holding at that time when both met for the first time in the waiting room.

Koyori was afraid to try something new or developing attachments to the place because she felt lonely and not wanted to have a bad experience while staying at the hospital, hence, the relunctance of drinking coffee because it tastes bitter.

When both she and Aono confessed that felt lonely their worlds lighten up with warmth because they found one about the other to feel on the same predicament.

The following weeks or months Koyori quickly grew used and attached to the hospital, because she made a true friend on Aono and frequently left her room to visit Aono's everyday.

When Koyori was informed that she'll be leaving the hospital she felt a bitter ssensation, since that would mean leaving Aono alone by herself and disillusioned at the hospital.

The coffee was used as either a metaphor or plot device for the test of friendship when the night before Koyori leaves Aono pays her a visit to the waiting room. Same place but positioned reverse.
Koyori has holding the glass of coffee.

The different outcome that developed is that Koyori chose to have coffee of her own choice and tasted it, explaining to Aono that even though it tastes bitter it warms up your body.
She lets Aono to have a taste. Aono's reaction is expected, the coffee tastes bitter to her but agrees it leaves a warmth sensation on the body.

Koyori uses the present chance to properly explain without holding back she's leaving the hospital.

The aftermath is even though to leave and say farewell feels bitter and cold to both Aono and Koyori, the precious time they spent together at the hospital left a bond of friendship within them. That bond of friendship gives them warm and comfort, encouraging Koyori that she'll be frequently visiting Aono everyday, therefore, Aono would not be feeling alone anymore even if Koyori has left the hospital.

There are other metaphors as well that helped me understood as to why Aono dedicates time to her origami after watching this episode.

Spoiler:

Actually, several if not most of the figures she has made are bird-like.

Aono feels like a bird who has gotten injured her wings and is resting in a desolated place until the day they heal and can fly her out to the shining sky.

For Aono's case she's waiting for the day she'll be discharged and able to leave for home.

Quite some developments were.

Spoiler:

Matsuri is the only one girl that actually finds Yoritos' weird dolls funny or cute.

Even though she doesn't like Yorito's taste for the dolls, Aono is very appreciative toward her brother's kind gesture and thoughts about giving her a doll as present on each visit.

Before watching this episode I thought Yorito got the dolls from those vending machines with the moveable crane, but he actually buys them at that lonely store.

although i can't do such a thorough assessment as he, but i'd really like to say that Aono is such an awesome character. Even though she's the most quietest character in the series so far (and may be so for the rest), you can see that although she's stuck in the hospital, she's quite the complex girl with such a deep personality as most of you mentioned.
For some reason, Aono reminds me of 'Zazie Rainyday' from Mahou Sensei Negima! Mainly cuz they are both quiet and has awesome hair styles!

Yea, i love the 'CloudService' that this ep gives.....(heheh, nice one telliamed)
Watching Sola makes me want to study English all over again just so i can dig up the visual techniques that define this series.

I wasn't too sure about this ep, at first I was kinda disappointed that again, after #3, nothing really "happened". But in the end it just had to good of a feel to it, so I didn't care much for the slow pace after all (gave it a 9).
It kinda seems like the lull before the storm to me, I don't expect episode 5 to be another character-interaction-only-episode. And hopefully there'll be more of Matsuri again next time as well.

Agreed. Once they will be done with the character introductions and initial development, i expect them to plunge in to the meat of the story. The Hunter noticing Yorito at the end of the ep might be a notification that some things are about to be set in to action.

although i can't do such a thorough assessment as he, but i'd really like to say that Aono is such an awesome character. Even though she's the most quietest character in the series so far (and may be so for the rest), you can see that although she's stuck in the hospital, she's quite the complex girl with such a deep personality as most of you mentioned.

The 'I speak only when necessary' type of characters are always awesome in my book.

The slow pace is actually fine with me, we might see things hitting the fan very soon if the Hunter's indication points it at that.

Her many super powers include kicking things to get what she wants. *not that it's a reliable power though*

well I don't know about that...
Kicking things can be quite useful
I've used the Kicking-things technique myself many times.
example when my little brother grabs the last Coke from the fridge, a little round of kicking-things can be quite useful

You'd think that in a couple hundred years, Matsuri would have at least learned how to cook. You have to wonder how she fed herself all these years lol...

microwave food and that weird drink perhaps?

but im wonder where matsuri came from in the first place...she seemed soo out of date with things its quite shocking that she doesnt even know how to properly work the microwave...dont tell me shes been hibernating for the past 50 years...and where did she stay in the past? she couldnt have been living in that church for over 100 years O.o hopefully these questions will be answered in the future :3

but im wonder where matsuri came from in the first place...she seemed soo out of date with things its quite shocking that she doesnt even know how to properly work the microwave...dont tell me shes been hibernating for the past 50 years...and where did she stay in the past? she couldnt have been living in that church for over 100 years O.o hopefully these questions will be answered in the future :3

Well, thats the thing - for all we know thats exactly how she might have lived up until now - moving from place to place, sleeping wherever she can find a spot. And hiding during the day. (And being constantly hunted - she mentioned being injured more than once)

When you think about it that way, it is not that surprising that she doesn't really know how to operate modern machinery. I mean... it is highly unlikely that she has a house somewhere, and i can't imagine her having much(if any) acquaintances among humans (Prior to Yorito) - most people sleep at night

Although, when she told Yorito why she didn't want to stay with him, it seemed as if she spoke from experience.

But yeah, it's kinda hard to have much of a social life if you have to sleep all through the day. And she doesn't own anything that can't be easily carried in a bag. Still, it wasn't like she was entirely unfamiliar with machines. There are some people who just can't understand technology. Anyone who's done tech support knows that the most common problem is "operator error".

Although, when she told Yorito why she didn't want to stay with him, it seemed as if she spoke from experience.

Well... for all we know, that experience might have come from hundreds of years ago Either way - given Matsuri's situation, i don't find it hard to believe she isn't all that familiar with the latest technology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deathkillz

cause the day she leaves will be the day his heart breaks...how i dread that day

That, i agree with. I don't want her to vanish
*remembers a certain shot from the OP*
*goes to sulk in a corner*